According to SaigonTimes, a strategic partnership agreement with Kizuna Japan, signed late September, integrates artificial intelligence into the entire travel process. The company aims to connect 10,000 tourists by 2027 through technology-designed itineraries. This initiative facilitates safe outbound travel for Vietnamese visitors while connecting Japanese tourists with destinations and experiences in Vietnam.

Nguyen The Minh, CEO of SaigonTimes Travel, stated that the technology application aims to expand tourist exchange activities between Vietnam and Japan. *SaigonTimes Travel*

A company representative stated that the strategy's core is a travel technology ecosystem. SaigonTimes Travel's AI Visa platform will assist with visa application preparation. This system automatically reviews information, assesses completeness, and provides suggestions to optimize the approval rate before processing. Following this, Kizuna's AI Travel platform will analyze destination data to design personalized itineraries, meeting the needs of each customer group. Synchronizing these tools helps the company standardize its consultation process, optimize experiences, and ensure customer information security.

SaigonTimes Travel noted that its smart data system will differentiate Vietnamese travelers' journeys from familiar routes. Both parties prioritize exploring local cultural regions, onsen resorts, and unique traditional festivals in Japan. This approach diversifies options based on individual preferences and facilitates the development of specialized tourism products.

Minh (left) said AI will be applied in the process of preparing documents, consulting, and building itineraries for tourists. *SaigonTimes Travel*

Sharing the company's direction in partnering with Kizuna, Nguyen The Minh emphasized the importance of developing a two-way market. "Sustainable cooperation must be based on a comprehensive technology platform. This signing not only helps Vietnamese tourists discover new lands and cultures in Japan but also serves as a bridge to bring Vietnamese people and destinations closer to Japanese visitors," Minh said.

To realize this vision, the model involves in-depth analysis of customer needs at each destination. For outbound travel from Vietnam, the product catalog in various Japanese localities will expand. Conversely, Kizuna's network and data will support both parties in researching the needs of Japanese visitors to Vietnam. Products are expected to focus on culture, cuisine, and local life, in addition to familiar attractions.

SaigonTimes Travel aims to connect 10,000 tourists by 2027, with Japan being one of its key markets. *SaigonTimes Travel*

A SaigonTimes Travel representative affirmed that integrating AI, from document preparation and consultation to itinerary design, is fundamental to enhancing processing capacity as customer volume expands. This technology also helps the company standardize service quality and categorize customer needs more accurately.

"Based on the AI Tourism ecosystem, Kizuna's AI and data will be key to helping SaigonTimes Travel achieve its goal of connecting 10,000 two-way Vietnamese-Japanese tourists by 2027, aiming for large-scale personalized experiences while ensuring the capacity to meet a high volume of services," the company representative added.

In the coming period, the company stated it will continue to refine its comprehensive technology model. Mastering data and AI will enable SaigonTimes Travel to expand this model to numerous international markets, solidifying its position in the digital travel sector.

Thy An